Unity for Al-Quds: Islamic Solidarity, Justice, and Peace for Palestine
Speech at the Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Istanbul
Keypoints:
- Defense of Al-Quds: Supporting Palestinian rights and holy sites
- Islamic Unity: Presenting a unified voice of the Muslim Ummah
- International Law: Pursuing a just and lasting peace solution
- Interfaith Dialogue: Promoting Muslim-Christian cooperation
- Ending Internal Conflicts: Encouraging unity within the Muslim world
- Civilization of Tolerance: Rejecting terrorism and violence
- Collective Action: Developing coordinated support for Palestine
Istanbul, Turkey
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
President Erdogan, Mr. Secretary General, Majesties, Excellencies;
We are meeting in a unique historical moment, when the attention of the Ummah and the world alike is focused on Al-Quds, Haram al-Sharif, and the right of the Palestinian people. The consensus within the Ummah is heartwarming, as the streets and states, mosques and media, people and leaders, men and women, young and old are speaking in a unified voice. Al-Quds, as our first Qibla, and Haram-i-Sharif, as our third holy mosque, are at the core of our identity as Muslims and key symbols of our Islamic civilization. The heart of every Afghan beats in sympathy and empathy with our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
Equally gratifying is the international affirmation of UN resolutions on the need for a just and enduring solution that would ensure the rights of the Palestinian people to statehood and settle the status of Al-Quds. The alignment and accord between the Muslim world, and the world at large, has never been this great and is a tribute to the special place of Al-Quds in the history of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Palestine once again has returned to center stage.
The respect and tolerance shown by our past leaders, ranging from Hazrat Omar Faruq to Khalifa Abdul Malik, who constructed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, to Salah-ud-Din Ayubi and Suleiman the Magnificent speak to the depth and breadth of Islam as a civilization and culture.
The opportunity presented today, I think, should be utilized in five concrete ways. First, harness the solidarity to prepare a comprehensive plan to help the people and government of Palestine. Small measures, fragmented projects are not enough.
Second, utilizing international law to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the Arab Initiative for a just and enduring peace for Palestine and the region.
Third, engaging and launching an intensive dialogue between Christians and Muslims, welcoming the Pope’s support, as well as with the people and governments of key members of the Security Council including that of the United States on the need for peace and respect for international law.
Fourth, seizing the political initiative to end internal disputes and conflicts within the Muslim World; this requires showing true leadership, and this august assembly should be capable of demonstrating this leadership.
Fifth, reclaiming the history of Islam as a civilization of tolerance and dialogue, and renouncing acts of terror and violence, the largest casualties of whom are our Muslim people, and we, Afghans, who were suffered immensely from such efforts.
In conclusion, I would like to thank President Erdogan for the initiative, the Government of Turkey for the excellence of arrangements, and the Secretariat of OIC for supporting this initiative in a timely manner.
Thank you